Testing: Round One Complete

Below is a diagram of the Geisel Collaborative Study Space, sketched out by our very own Royce. We made multiple copies on large sheets of paper in order to record where people were sitting and to calculate percentages of whether they were working alone vs. with a group on the same material vs. with a group on separate material. We also downloaded an app to record the area’s decibel level. We’ve recorded this data multiple times: a couple before prototyping and again after our first test run.

Test Run Methods

This week, we started making bold moves to the Geisel Collaborative Study Space. We manipulated a couple variables to the workspace, as a test run of our prototype to see how Geisel would react to spontaneous changes. First, we placed post-it note signs on every table which read, “Welcome to the COLLABORATION SPACE! ~Talking is encouraged.~” The purpose of these signs was to increase awareness of the how this space was meant to be used. Although Geisel has their own larger signs on concrete pillars, users rarely mention noticing those signs because they’re more focused on finding an open table. Thus, the size and location of these post-it note signs target that majority of users who are looking down when choosing where to sit. Secondly, we moved the small amount of whiteboards from their hidden “whiteboard parking lot” area behind the stairs to places in between the tables to make them more accessible and to inspire more collaborative interactions.

Observations

We monitored how new people walking into the space reacted to these subtle changes. Almost everyone bent down to read the signs before sitting at the tables. After they sat down, we asked some of them a few questions about how they use this space and if the signs changed their perspective of the area. A couple guys said that they already knew this space was meant for collaboration and they thought the signs were just reinforcing that to people that didn’t know. Another group of guys said that before the signs, they would tailor their voice level to the space’s level (ex. they would whisper if the space was more quiet), but these signs gave them more confidence to speak comfortably to each other. An interesting “non-user” case came from a guy who admitted to working in this area because his fellow baseball team members would work there. He preferred to isolate himself from them when actually doing work, but then go to them to take socializing breaks, so it helped to be in their proximity. We consider him to be a hybrid non-user/user case because by working alone, he’s not open to collaborative interactions until he takes a break to socialize with his buddies.

Testing Round Two

Now that we know that we can (sneakily) make changes to this area without Geisel staff clearing it out, we’re ready to do a full-on prototype of an enhanced collaborative environment. Stay tuned~